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Willems said Schmitz received $50,000 as part of the settlement and is no longer employed with the University Heights Police Department. Following his dismissal in May, Schmitz had been reinstated on administrative leave with pay while his legal dispute was worked out.

"Both parties have chosen to move on," Willems said.

Willems said Schmitz will likely try to find another law enforcement job elsewhere.

"Certainly I know that he has a passion for law enforcement," Willems said. "(He'll) be looking for other opportunities in that field in the future."

Kris Lyon(Photo: Special to the Press-Citizen)

Kris Lyon, the University Heights police chief who fired Schmitz, also confirmed Schmitz is no longer with the department.

Schmitz later amended his petition to focus on what he called violations of state whistleblower protections.

Schmitz said in the suit that he heard complaints from University Heights residents about an officer or officers campaigning and escorting city officials to campaign for Lyon who was then a candidate for the city's vacant chief job. The officers were urging residents to attend a city council meeting where the police chief job would be discussed and to lobby the council in favor of Lyon, Schmitz alleged.